, 1887-02-17
THE CHAIN GANG GUARD

II trk in the apparently boundless cotton
IA ll that belonged to Col jefferson Clny.
II was n large plantation, and was al
II Isl entirely worked by a force OF chain
gang %convicts, leased TO Col. Clay by the
state authorities.
A. the sun reached the meridian its
rays came down so pitilessly, and with
such scorching fcrvor, that the four
guards who kept watch over the miser-
ahlr conVicts were compelled to seek shell
Ter under the few scattered pines which
slpftcl little knolls In different parts of
N. field.
l-i.ily reclining on the grass, the guards
played with their battered old muskets,
ani kept n keen lookout for the slightest
Indication of tagging work or insubordi-
n4tion on the part of the eighty prisoners
wiiI were engaged in hoeing cotton.
There was little danger OF the convicts
escaping. \ heavy ball and chain were
Iiiicled to each man and 1t was difficult
g.. .nukv much Roadway. The guards
wclr always vigilant, and when it was
DBL p,ihpunds in reserve for the pursuit and
c~tJiirc Of f%ugitives.
ST ldenly one of the guards looked AT his
,.rteA
Dinner timer he exclaimed, and rails
ing a whistle to his lips he blew n keen
blast. which was heard all over the field.
Tbs effect was magical. Every hoe fell
To the ground, and four squads of convicts
were soon sitting in the shade %devourlng
their scanty rations of corn bread, bacon
and greens. Forgetting their miseries for
a time. these unfortunates reveled In the
enjoyment Of their rude repast. The
blinking of their chains was i~nterspersetl
with bursts of hoarse laughter over an oc-
%casional Joke, such jokes as are never
heard outside Of n chain gang camp.
During the progress OF the meal one Of
the guards was attracted by the peculiar
conduct Of a prisoner in one of the squads.
Approaching him the guard said In a surly
tone:
sec here, Joe, no shamming now; ii
won't do, YOU know. No sickness al
lowed in this campl'
The convict looked up with n start,
looked into the cruel eyes OF n cruel face,
and saw no mercy there.
''Curse your he snarled. 81 wonder il
you nave "a heart
Think | have replied the other non
~chalantly, but that has nothing to do
with your case, my friend. Our worthy
host, Col. Clay, is Of the opinion that Il
convict never gets sick-he only shams-
aurl az his instructions are to punish every
case OF shamming with thirty-nine lashes,
well laid on l rave nothing to do but To
obey orders. You understand"
The convict looked up into the face Of
his guard.
The guard looked down into the face Of
the convict.
Tall md erect, youthful and handsome,
making allowance for the cruel eyes II
face, the guard, despite his rough jeans
suit. looked like a man who had seen bet
ter dnys. And his history did not run
counter TO his appearance. Five years be-
for. Dick Macon had been one of the
spoiled darlings of society. The gaming
table and the wine cuphad sent him down
at ieadlong speed 10 hi present level;
lal reduced him to the necessity of ac-
cspting the position Of chain gang guard
on jefferson CLAY convict plantation.
The prisoner. whose keen black eyes
Wen. scanning the relentless lace above
was q middle aged man, whose slight
frame showed that he was i'll fitted to bear
the hardships of his situation. His rest
less eyes, haggard face, trembling hands
AMI husky voice would have awakened
pity rs well as contempt In the breast OF
almost any observer.
There was nothing novel in the spec
taclc 10 Dick Macon, however, and bring
ing hi, musket down With a vicious
'hi'lnp ne salu'
.iou better axe care, 'oe-youn ~.
II licking before hight II you uoht get
n'oiii Your WORK quicker;
~ bowed ms heaa ana muttered;
"enty thousand aoliaIs' ana 1 was
I"oi enough TO thinK OF giving MIN haii-
! " nine my uihe.
What tha'f hskeu LICK M"coh
1Uhckly
No,iine' nhs"ereu '"' WIN ns
heat sun pent down.
'loe snih the guard.
"rln WIS .ne SnaPplsn rrsPohse'
want u Know you rascal, wna' you
meant by your ailusion to *2o,VV.
on, II was nothing, replied the other.
'lt was enere madness on my part.
meant That would give half OF the W.
oou That have securely hidden away II
rpnll once get OF this blastedd lace.
~ on lying lau"" .he
s"hrd' "do You thlnk So" oan make me
tumble To To- - %. .acketi You never
han -" yvJ in your life"
liar, yourselfl' shouted Joe, with II
sudden flash Of fire in his wolhsh eyes.
What am | here for, Dick Macont'
"humph'i said Dick, "murder, ] be-
liesc.'
Correct. - returned the convict. "Mur-
der II was. | was convicted on circum-
staniiul evidence, II owing to that fact
saved my neck. and was sent up for
life. But with that murder was con
nectei II robbery. When old Henderson
wa killed hc had on his person money
and valuable Jewels amounting to "A small
fortune"
The guard looked nj the other convicts.
They were n little distance off, quarrel
ing over their rations
'.,su on" said he.
''Did You ever hear that the plumber